The Knicks move to 14-4; Best Record in the Eastern Conference

Added by Stephen Zimkouski on December 7, 2012.

Raymond Felton led the Knicks with 27 points in their win over the Miami Heat last night. (Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports)

The Knicks came into Thursday with a half game lead for the best record in the Eastern Conference. The Knicks then went into Miami and blew out the Heat 112-92 to extend their winning streak to five games. They were able to beat the Heat by 20 without Carmelo Anthony as he missed the game with a laceration on his left hand suffered in the previous night.

After the win the Knicks extended their lead in the Eastern Conference to 1.5 games over the afore mentioned Heat. This is the first time the Knicks have led the conference this late into the season since 1993. With all that being said, the Knicks are definitely legitimate contenders this year.

The one big gripe with the way the Knicks play is that they seem to live and die on the three ball. When it’s falling they can beat anybody in the league and they proved Wednesday night that when it’s not falling their defense can keep them in games and still give them an opportunity to win them late as they beat the Bobcats in overtime.

The Knicks are also the only undefeated team at home left in the NBA. It’s safe to say that this is the most exciting the Knicks have been since the 1990′s. Now going back to the Heat game, the Knicks were able to win with their ability to spread the floor. The Knicks hit 18 threes and shot 40.9% behind the arc. Felton carried the team for much of the game with team highs 27 points and seven assists. Jason Kidd has also proved to be the X factor on the team.

Kidd is a player that can make big plays at the end of games whether its a big three or a deflection that leads to a turnover. The Knicks are a team right now playing with poise and passion.

With four games in five nights coming up on the schedule the Knicks will look at the most important game of that stand against the Brooklyn Nets. The Nets won the two teams first matchup in overtime. With the Knicks playing really solid basketball right now, they will look to not only stretch their lead over the Nets in the Atlantic Division but also reclaim themselves as the best team in New York City.